I don’t know what losing a child feels like…but I imagine that it’s pretty heartbreaking…heartbreaking and horrible…and for some strange reason, the only analogy I can think of when looking at empty photos of our home is…well…loss. not loss like a son or daughter. my brain can’t wrap around such a pain. but loss of a thing. loss of a thing-baby. sortof like handing over the fruit of my womb….if my womb was where the blood, sweat and tears, countless hours and backbreaking hardwork was formed. it’s so sad. and sortof makes me resent living in a new place. and I love the new house. but this was home. our place of rest. and family. and love. and so yeah…it breaks my heart a little when I see it empty like this.
I miss our kitchen faucet. I loved how the end pulled out and made filling pots easy. I miss our subway tile backsplash. It was easy to clean. And I miss our easy dishwasher. I still don’t really know how to use the new one…and I really don’t want to read the manual.
We left the curtain rod hooks for the new inhabitants. They were already in the studs and we figured that they aren’t that expensive to replace.
I miss our mantle. It was my favorite place to decorate.
I miss having finished rooms. Rooms that felt worn in and comfortable…like a good pair of jeans.
I remember this shot…this angle. One of these days I will post these photos on the house tour page…so that everyone can see the old photos and the new photos…and the inbetween photos.
We took my $15 chandelier from the dining room. I don’t know why but I was very attached to that thing. I think it is because it was a gift from my mom. I can walk away from things I bought with my own money…but when it’s a gift…forgetaboutit.
The master bedroom looks smaller without furniture in it. I promised a post on how we did that curtained wall. It’ll come. one day it’ll come.
I was ohsoclose to taking that shelving thing over the toilet with us. It’s hard to find stuff like that. But in the end, it matched the other hardware…and they belonged together. They were a happy family.
The dressing room is perfect for the new little girl that lives there. She’s 7.
I miss this guest room. We’ve had many a guest in there…many a fun/crazy/loved guest.
And this guest bathroom. Oh how I miss this bathroom. I miss washing Will in there…seeing him splash his bathwater out onto the floor. I miss seeing him smile at the little boy in the wood-framed mirror. I miss battling him to see who would be more stubborn over the bathtub plug.
But most of all…this. I miss this. Ohdearlord….somebody hand me the box of Kleenex…
Gosh Katie. All this is so understandable! You were a newlywed there and you had your baby there. You will just need some time to work into feeling thesamebutdifferent about your new house. And *what a house it is*, right?! Don’t worry that you aren’t in love with it yet; that will come. You have a wonderful hubby and an adorable son and beautiful surroundings. You are probably tired and overworked too. One day at a time, girl. xo
{Wow, that was kinda disjointed. Hope you get my intended meaning. Must. Go. To bed.}
: / this is sad and bittersweet. Sending happy thoughts your way, Katie B.
We felt the same way when we moved from our last house! It was devastating:( The sad thing was that we knew our little baby boy would never remember anything about the house. We have now been here 5 years and have added 3 more girls to the mix and we feel so lucky that we moved when we did. I can’t imagine having to move more than 1 child also all those extra memories!!! One day you will wake up and realize this house truly feels like HOME!! Hope it happens soon but it is good to grieve!!!
Last summer my boy friend’s family moved. We’d only been dating 2 years but when I saw their house empty I cried like a baby and…. I didnt even live there.
Change is hard but dont worry you’ll create so many new wonderful memories, just give yourself some time to adjust.
I really enjoy your blog and your family is adorable but I don’t get this post. You are moving from one wonderful home to your dream home…I’m sorry if this comes across snarky but your analogy made me go “what the what?”
I love Will’s room. It was the reason I started reading your blog.
Please tell me you did NOT leave that hand-painted sign in his room, though.
And here’s something great – you can always recreate that fabulous wall in your new house. It’s one of those designs that will grow with him!
girl, this made me sad for the house! even though i didn’t live there!
…it also reminded me of the last episode of the fresh prince of bellaire. i’m not ashamed to admit that i cried when i saw will walking around the empty house.
What a perfect description of what it feels like to leave your first home. I felt the same when when we left our little rowhome that we poured our blood, sweat, and tears into. We made so many memories there that seeing it empty broke my heart. The good news is – you will start making memories in your new home, and it’ll feel more like home every day you are there.
Oh Molly…I know it sounds pathetically overdramatic and I would probably say the same thing as you… I guess the problem is that I am 1. Over the top when it comes to reminiscing 2. A big fat scaredy cat when it comes to change and 3. Struggling with making happy memories in the new house… It happens when you aren’t there half the time, living outta boxes and constantly battling baby ear infections and allergic reactions to antibiotics while being sick yourself and living with a sick boytoy. Oh and did I mention Aunt Flow? Cause she makes me cah-razy.
Forgive me? Xo – whatthewhat
🙁 🙁 🙁
I know how you feel. You need to have a big ole cry to make u feel better, works for me. I think it will help u let go as such. One plus is u still own the house, so u can be a creepy landlord and do random spot checks to get ur old house fix ……… Hehe xxx
Awww Katie. Such a sad post. I could feel your pain and it wasn’t even my house. Things will get better and you’ll grow to love your new place even more.
Hope you and the rest of Bowers feel better soon 🙂
So sorry to hear about your pain, Katie! I already fear the day we leave this house. We are putting so much of ourselves into it. I bet that the new residents of your first home will feel all that love, radiating from the floors, the walls and the ceilings. Good luck, Katie!
oh girl, i hear. you. we moved at the beginning of december and it was SO HARD. We had so many memories in our house. When I went back to walk through to make sure we got everything, I bawled like a baby. I just wanted to go get all our stuff and bring it back in. All I could see were memories and the house looked so sad all empty. I still feel sad over the house sometimes…not as much, it’s getting better. But there are still nights that i lay awake in bed imagining our old house and just wishing we could go back for a little bit. It just felt like home. And it’s really taking a while for this house to feel like home. It takes a while to learn how to function in a new house. Plus the chaos of an undecorated, boxy mess doesn’t help either. And to add to that, i hate change. All that rambling to say, I feel you girl. It’s hard stuff on us hormonal mama’s! Praying you feel peace in the midst of chaos today…blessings,
sara
Totally understand! We left our townhouse when my son was 9 months old for a single family house. We had painted literally every. single. room. in the the townhouse and completed lots of lighting changes, kitchen upgrades, removed lots of crazy wallpaper, etc. It was soooo hard to leave the house where my husband and I began our life together and where our son joined our family. For a couple months it felt like a big mistake. But…our new house is big and wonderful, and our son became mobile right as we were moving and LOVED all the crawling then walking, then running space. We’ve now made lots of new memories, done a little painting, and it feels like home. You’ll never forget your old house – heck, it’s been 3 years now and I still look at pictures and get a little (ok, a lot) nostalgic for it, but you’ll love your new home too. Hope you all feel better soon!
You just made a 7 month pregnant girl cry! That’s it. I’m never moving!
you’re making me feel a lot better about my move last summer…I was having the hardest time with our new place and we moved into a much bigger place that I probably should have liked more, but you have assured me that it may not have just been the place I was missing, but the memories made in the old place!! thanks for sharing your journey in this…you’re helping others 🙂
Katie, I read your blog all the time. I’ve gotten great decorating ideas (I adore your green chairs with the blue and white polka dot pillows – still trying to incorporate that somewhere in our house). And I think your little family is just the cutest around. You usually make me laugh, but today as I read the comparison between moving and losing a child I just had to cringe because I have lost a child. I know you were trying to compare the upset you feel right now to something that you imagine to be so incredibly painful, but there is truly nothing that could ever compare. I am in no way trying to scold you, I just want to know that your words are powerful and seen by so many people, many others who I bet have lost children too. And reading those words just made me feel so incredibly sad this morning.
I feel like you’ve been so honest on your blog that I feel safe being honest with you, too. Thank you for taking this as it was intended; a note from the heart. Enjoy your new home and hold all of the amazing memories of your old home close to your heart.
I imagine I’m going to feel the exact same way when it comes time for us to sell our current house. I love it a bit too much, but it kind of happens especially when you put so much time and effort into it.
here’s to new beginnings! Hold your head up high! 🙂
I can imagine it’s really hard…but at least you have so many of those wonderful memories well documented. Besides anything of real value you got to take with you…please tell me you didn’t leave the sign from Will’s nursery though?!?!
You have every right to need Kleenex. You have every right to have 12 boxes near by. I cried and cried when we left our first home last year. We began our married life there, brought our babies home there and created countless memories. Now we have made memories at this home and it doesn’t hurt anymore. I am still a little nostalgic about our Pekin street home, but the ones here out weigh those any day.
Seeing your house empty makes me really, really sad and I didn’t even live there! I’m sure you will have many wonderful memories in your new house, too, but it is completely understandable to be sad.
I love your blog Katie and read it everyday, usually with a big smile on my face. Today, not so much. I agree with Lauren that this was not the best analogy.
Hi Katie! I am hoping you will show us some pictures of your old stuff in your new home! I am so curious to see where you placed things even if it is temporary!
“Always leave a place better than you found it” – you done good, girl. ;o)
*sniff* And now I’m getting all choked up thinking of our first house – where we got married, brought our daughters home from the hospital to grow up, knocked down walls, installed an amazing bar for entertaining, changed everything we could to make it ours…. It’s too much to think about 🙁 *sniff*
understand exactly what you mean, memories are very important to me too! I can’t imagine how i might feel down the road if we move out of our current “first” baby.
i don’t understand why people are freaking out about your honesty. You specifically say *not* like the loss of a son or daughter. Houses are your babies before baby-people. It’s your baby-thing! I get it :).
sending happy thoughts and prayers for will to feel better!
My thoughts exactly….Please tell me you did NOT leave the Watson Creek sign behind. Love that sign!
I’m sorry to stick my nose in, BUT… Yes, I thought that was a pretty extreme comparison too. What a horrendous thing you’ve been through, Lauren. **hug**
Think of how many times people refer to their car as their “baby” or their amazing designer shoes, etc. It obviously doesn’t compare to your sweet precious child.
I think KB explained herself in the comment above and is too compassionate and kind to have intentionally caused pain to anyone who has gone through an experience that is the worst possible nightmare for most of us. I’m glad that Katie’s blog always seems to be a safe and supportive place to love on each other.
xo
This post makes me feel as though i’m not alone…I still miss our first house where we lived in after getting married, being pregnant in and bringing our sweet little girl home to. It’s been 2 years and I still miss it like crazy.
Hugs to you…I know how you’re feeling.
Do people normally take their curtain rods with them? Just wondering, we left all of ours with the last place. I was totally planning on leaving them anyway, but the people who bought our house wrote them into the offer. I guess I figured there would be different configurations of windows/sizes so they wouldn’t transfer well.
We moved into a house with zero window treatments and it sure is a pain (not to mention expensive) to replace all those.
I’m also curious why you took the curtain rods, but left the hooks? They match that specific rod, I’m not sure what you’re going to do with rods and no matching hooks? If I was the buyer, I’d be peeved that not only do I have to buy all new curtain rods, but I have to remove the hooks you left in the wall, patch if necessary, and install the new ones that actually *match* my rod.
Anyway, I don’t know the selling agreement, so I’ll just shut up now. You will make so many more memories in your new place. Have fun!
First let me say-cute blog. Cute house. Cute Fam.
BUT-OMG!
You just compared moving out of a house to LOSING A CHILD?!
In my life, I have done both-and the fact that you actually posted this on a public forum..yikes! Please consider rewording your post. Platitudes such as, ” I know it must be heartbreaking, yada yada yada…” are such an insult to those of us who have been in a place that I hope you never will be…I’ll chalk it up to the stress of moving. I’ve done that recently-and that’s enough to make anyone verklempt.
Hi Sara,
Well, to tell you the truth, we didn’t sell yet. We are leasing. And the curtain rods are all Ikea (as are the hooks) so we just asked the new residents whether it would be okay to leave the hooks so they don’t have to bang up the walls….and they said that they would be thrilled with that. So that is what we did…it was really a win-win.
xo – kb
I’m not sure. I know that we did because the lease offer did not include them. Our real estate agent was the one who suggested that we leave the hooks…he does a lot of leasing himself and he said that it was a sure-fire way to make sure that all the walls didn’t get too tore up.
xo – kb
We did. Sniff. We decided that it was part of that home…it was the creek behind that house and we thought that it belonged there. And since our new house has it’s own creek we decided that one day we would just make a new sign…probably one that looked a little different but still represented the fact that we are moving on.
xo – kb
Hi Lauren…first let me say this…I am so very sorry for your loss. I can’t really say anything except that is my worst nightmare and I can’t possibly imagine that pain. And that is why I said in the post that this is NOT like losing a son or daughter. This house was a thing. A precious thing to me…but still just a thing. I hope that everyone takes the time to read the entire paragraph because I deliberately made it very clear that this is not the same…but the feeling of loss comes from the same place within us. That is what I was saying. I wish I had a more perfect way of describing it…but remember, this blog is just like me…imperfect.
Thanks for your honesty…
xo – kb
SJ – I am so very sorry to hear that you have lost a child. That is truly a mother’s ultimate nightmare. And I know that you don’t like those ‘insults’ but the words escape me on how I can say how horrible that must feel without saying a cliche. I have many friends who have experienced that loss and I have wept with them and have experienced a fraction of that pain…and it is a hole that can never be filled shut. And that is why I didn’t compare moving to losing a child…I am not losing a person…but a thing. It was a special and dear thing to me…but still just a thing. I was trying to explain how that house was like precious to me…a place that I cared for, cryed over, sweated and bled into for many years. It was a place that I felt safe and whole and loved. And some people don’t feel attachment like that to a house…but I did. And that is just coming from a place of honest imperfection. I say it’s imperfect because I wish I didn’t feel so attached to this world and the things in it…but I am an imperfect human and I pray that you forgive me for that.
xo – kb
I understand. I miss our “first” house so much. I miss it even more because of the way we lost it when I got laid off from my company in 2008, it’s been almost two years and I still miss it. I took lots and lots of pictures though, we’ll always remember it.
I am sad to see your house empty and can understand the need for the tissues. BUT I can’t wait to see all the new things you come up with for the new home and the amazing memories you will create.
I’m with Lauren and SJ. I love your blog and you usually have me laughing out loud. I roll my eyes along with you when I read some of the ridiculous comments people leave here when they disagree about your design choices or your new home. I love your house(s) and would gladly live there with you…
But not today. Today I am crying because what you’ve written here is so wrong. I understand you didn’t know how better to word your post. I get that having put so much blood/ sweat/ tears into a house and then moving on is hard.
But I can tell you, with unfortunate first hand knowledge, that you have no idea what you’re talking about. I lost an 8 day old, more precious than any house, gorgeous little boy just 2 months ago. I am so thankful you have no idea how “insulting” this comparison is, because I can’t even begin to imagine how “pretty heartbr[oken] and horrible” you might feel if you did.
Hi Laurajane,
I am so sorry that you are not able to hold your baby right now. I know that is a loss that is more great than anything else could be. And that is why I didn’t want to say something flippantly like “I lost my baby” when referring to the house. It’s not as precious as a baby. It’s not as special as a daughter or son or any person for that matter. This was not meant to be insulting…just simply to relay how difficult this time is for me. Not everything in my life is rainbows and flowers and unicorns and unfortunately I am one of those people that cry over little things. I cry over our house…and leaving those memories there. I know that my pain is not as deep as others pain…but it’s still real and still hurts in the same place. I simply ask that people realize that this is what this post is about…not about comparing losses but realizing that we have a community here to sympathize with us no matter how small or great it hurts.
xo – kb
I am also sorry for all the losses described by all the women above. I cannot imagine that loss. I would be devistated if my little one was taken from me before his time. I guess I just wanted to say that I read the way that Katie wrote her blog as a discussion on personal grief and not on making one thing more important than the other. I don’t think she feels her house is on the same level as a child. A “thing” could never replace a person. More how you grieve during a transition in life, no matter that that transition may be. I agree with some of the comments- in any loss- you have to take time to grieve and heal. I wish for all of the women above to heal and find peace with the changes in your lives- despite wanting them to happen.
Sorry- I meant to say “despite NOT wanting them to happen”. No one wants these things to happen to our children.
I think what some people are saying is that those words (” don’t know what losing a child feels like”)didn’t even have to be added to the post to get the point across about how you felt to not be living there any more. By saying them, people may take it as a comparison of those 2, even though you totally didn’t even imply that. If you reread it you can see that.
Maybe if you said something like “I feel really sad now because we had such great memories there and we are no longer living there, and I don’t want to forget all of those great times in that house”…maybe then some people wouldn’t take it the wrong way. But, geez, I always say things that sound different then what I meant, so, I understand.
Thanks! Wasn’t trying to be rude or anything, I just was honestly wondering! 🙂
I do too!! It’s my curse for being a pretty open person. lol xo
KB, we all understand the need to mourn the loss of “things” that are dear to us. It hurts, and it makes us cry. No need to apologize for that.
But.
Losing a child is an unparalleled loss. And I do see that you’ve stated that the loss of a child is more significant than what you are feeling. But, framing the sadness you feel about leaving your first home with such incredibly disproportionate circumstances cheapens the life changing loss that others have experienced.
I do love your blog, but please, please, please remove discussions of the loss of a child from a situation that, while tinged with sadness and loss, is rooted in blessings, not tragedy.
It is really hard to leave a home/haven where so many wonderful moments occurred. Can I say though, that I am SUPER excited to see what fabulous-ness you think up for the dream home?!
Marine Brat. Army wife. Had to move from many homes in my 55 years.
Have also lost 3 children.
I just pray you never experience the difference.
You may want to re-word your post…it is unintentionally insensitive.
Oh, I know the feeling. Our babies were born in our first home in Texas. When our second son was born we left to go to New York. 20 years later we took our “babies” back to Texas to see the house they were born in. The owners let us in! It was surreal. I feel for you. Hugs to you.
KatieB-
I am not looking forward to the day when we leave our current house. I don’t even like to think about it.
Don’t let the hypersensitive folks make you feel bad. I think you are awesome and totally justified for making the comparison. To YOU, thats how it feels. Don’t change what you wrote, it is honest.
I was the same way when I moved out of my first rental home three years ago. I had lived there for seven years and the place really was a dump–but it was my home! I brought my puppy home there, made memories there and found my independenc there. I loved that house as much as I hated it. I cried for weeks before I even moved. And it didn’t help that I was moving into a crummy apartment. BUT–I knew then that the good Lord had something spectacular waiting for me and that if I’d only be patient He’d bring me to it. And He did! A year later–nearly two years ago (come this June, actually)–I bought an adorable and affordable little house near my parents and am LOVING every single second of it. 🙂
Once you get settled in and get everyone healthy, I’m sure you’ll feel the same way. Thanks for always sharing so much of yourself with us. *hugs*
Let’s hear some bad things about your old house! We need some happiness around here!
You are kidding right? Hypersensitive, because we lost children?
So incredibly insensitive, Katie. Just because it was “the only analogy you could think of,” doesn’t make it ok.
You are in need of perspective, wisdom, and the ability to edit yourself out of a sense of compassion for those who have felt the most unspeakable of losses.
Seriously, what is wrong with you? Comparing moving to losing a child? You have some serious issues. Forget being dramatic… you are stupid! You do realize that it is impossible to even compare the two? Grow up and have some consideration.
I don’t think you are being hypersensitive.
xo – kb
Oh Katie, I love, love your blog and have spent hours pouring over the photos. I think you are hilarious and forthright, and I totally respect your “let it all out” mentality with your writing, however, you have crossed the line so big time with the whole death of a child “non-comparison”. Mentioning losing a child and then in the next sentence saying that you’re not comparing losing the house to that? Well, you kinda are comparing it, at least that’s the way people see it. You really should reword your post. I just felt sick to my stomach when I read it.
Why do you continue to read if it is upsetting to you don’t get it
Seriously, there is a lot wrong with me. I’ve always been the first to admit that. And like I’ve said before, I am imperfect…and this blog is a reflection of that imperfection constantly.
xo – kb
Everything you’re feeling is EXACTLY why I haven’t been brave enough to move yet!! My husband wants your dream house. Well, not that he’s seen it or anything. Because that would mean he reads your blog with me, and, well, we all know that guys don’t spend precious minutes of their day reading blogs! Anyway, he really wants property. 5 acres would make him weak in the knees. But I can’t imagine moving from our cute, cozy, and comfortable house! It’s our first house together, and it’s our son & daughter’s first house too. If we move now, they won’t even remember it!! And that makes me cry in itself! Ugh.
I’ve been really curious how you’re doing with the change. It makes my stomach hurt for you to see your empty house. Especially Will’s plank wall. So sad!!! But I’m hoping to hear that someday soon, you’ll have memories in your new home to share! Maybe then, I will believe you that it’s really possible to move!! haha
Oh, and I need to move to your state… $170k for your first house in 2007??? Wow. That would buy a DUMP here in Washington state. We bought ours for $255k in 2003, and that was a pretty good deal!!
If you read the sentence again the analogy she refers to is loss in general…not to the loss of a child. There are many things that can be described as a loss…it doesn’t just have to be connected to people.
Sending good thoughts your way Katie!
seeing your house naked makes me sad too, but I can’t wait to see what you do to your next house. On the bright side unlike many who move, you are now landlords and can hopefully get to see how they decorate at least until you finally sell.
And I have to say it is so unfair how little it costs for such a nice house in your neck of the woods. I need to get some guts and move to a different part of the country.
Oh Katie, I totally understand how you feel. We moved from the most perfect, wonderful, little house almost 2 years ago. And, although, we now have a bigger, newer place- our sweet little house was amazing. I’d take it back in a second. I wrote a very similar blog post when we moved away…
http://babykcountdown.blogspot.com/2009/06/ode-to-our-house.html
You’ll have so many wonderful memories to share with your boyfriend…and Will, too. 🙂
Seriously…you are calling Katie stupid, that is wrong! Sorry, I feel that Katie explained herself many times throughout these comments and has appologized for the losses many wonderful mothers had to unfortunately deal with, I can relate from both perspectives as I, too, have also lost a child, but I understand that Katie was not comparing her home loss to a loss of a child… As seen in her blog, she is a wonderful mother to Will, and this was just a misunderstanding…take care Katie! First time commenting, but absolutely love your blog and decorating style, I can’t wait to see your new home transform into a masterpiece!!
oh my. I think that she gets the point that this opened a can of worms. I think after 20 or so comments telling her that she used a bad non-example, she gets it. But please remember, she is human, she had no bad intentions, and she is vulnerable with this blog. I don’t know her personally, but I believe she is probably not feeling on top of the world. So please do me a favor……forgive her and let her lick her wounds.
As an English major, I’ve always paid attention to the role landscapes and settings play in literature. I think the reason it’s so easy to make that connection is because of the huge role a place can play in our lives. You’re right to compare leaving a house to losing a “thing-baby.” A home is a character in your life.
Oh, Katie! I so know how you feel!
Last year I left a house I lovingly renovated myself and once thought would be my forever home. I remember very distinctly sitting on my couch staring at the archway between the living room and the dining room (one of the first things I fell in love with) and admiring the way that the colors of paint in those two rooms were the perfect complement to each other and the elegance of the pretty crown moldings that I picked out and painted. I remember feeling devastated by the thought of leaving all of it behind and knowing that it would soon belong to someone else who probably wouldn’t appreciate those wonderful little details or all the hours of hard work that went into them.
But you’ll be amazed at how quickly the memories you’ll start making in your new house will lessen the pain you feel at leaving your old house behind. It doesn’t seem like it when you’re exhausted and overwhelmed and living in the awful chaos of moving, but one day your new home will become your worn-in, comfortable pair of jeans.
As hard as it might be right now, focus not on what you’re leaving behind but all of the amazing things you have to look forward to as you and Jeremy create a wonderful home for Will and all his future siblings to grow up in.
Sending lots of happy thoughts and encouragement your way!
Betty… you are ridiculous. Hypersensitive?? Your comment is 100x worse than the post itself. you should be ashamed of yourself! She is at least aware of her mistake in the comparison- I suggest you take a minute to educate yourself.
Katie-
I read your blog a few nights ago along with the comments and it has weighed heavily on my heart. If I were in your shoes, writing a blog for all the world to see, and be criticized by something you have said would make me a very unhappy, negative person. I commend you on your controlled, tasteful response. I think that majority of your readers have forgot that you started this blog to keep your family updated on your wedding, and home renovations. (I am going on my memory for this) We readers are just priviledged to be able to be allowed into your life and read your thoughts and humor along the way. I hope that in your posts you continue to be yourself, and able to put aside the harsh comments responding to your thoughts and opinion.
I am very fond of the change you are going through. You will grow to love the new house, and all the memories you create in it. Your old house will always hold that special place in your heart. I look forward to the upcoming posts describing all the new memories being created. 🙂
Brooke M.
Oh man, seeing the pictures of the empty house made me sad, too! I can’t believe you left the Watson Creek sign! Yeah, that’s the creek behind that house, but still… you made that, for your first baby’s nursery! It would have been such great memorabilia for Will!
So while I agree that maybe it wasn’t worded perfectly (and who of us are perfect, anyway?) that makes it okay to call another person stupid? If you’d like to come to my elementary classroom, our class meeting today will be on name calling. It’s review for my students, but perhaps you could use a refresher on how to treat others as well.
Well said Brooke! Keep your head up KB. I have been reading your blog for awhile now and it has become one of my absolute favorites. Your photography has improved tremendously and is an inspiration! Keep doing what you are doing and good luck in your new (absolutely gorgeous) home. I will be here to read your adventures.
May I also say that your family is absolutely adorable.
Hey Katie,
You are from New Jersey(I am from Philly) and we tend to run our mouth and not mean to say it that way. I can make you feel better with something I said YEARS ago(I think I was like 15 or something.) I can’t even remember who it was but I remember the scenario. When I think a little one is cute whether it be a child, dog, etc. I say, ” aww what a cute little monkey or little monk.” Let me guess what you will say? Nothing’s wrong with saying that right? Well I had said that the little kid was such a sweet little monkey(and I TRULY meant the kid was so cute.) I offended the parents who were of African American descent. OMG. Tail between legs. AND I TRULY DIDN’T mean it. I say that about anything that is cute. I get what people are saying, but they really aren’t reading your block and how you specified it. You are the best. 🙂
BLOG…I can’t type. LOL!
No forgiveness needed, kiddo. I get the feeling of “loss” with a house you have put your heart and soul into. I did it recently, too, and I was the only one who was happy when our original sale ( to an investor) fell through-and we went on to rent it instead to a wonderful family who will at least like it half as much as we had 🙂 My point was just to pick your analogies more carefully-words are powerful things that stir the emotions and should, at times, be well thought out and used with care. Thanks for replying to my comment. SJ
I read and enjoy your blog and, like a few others have already said, I think you could have chosen almost any other analogy for your feelings rather than the loss of a child. I realize you backed it up a little, but you did make the comparison. I hope you never have to know for yourself just how far off the mark you were.
Be so happy that it was your LAST move!!! You’ve got your forever house and how great is that?!? The Hubs and I have lived in 7 homes in six cities in 8 1/2 years of marriage and there is sadness every time I see my house empty. I understand how you feel and its a-ok to be sad about saying goodbye to the old and still be excited about the new. Don’t worry, your old house forgives you and the new one doesn’t blame you for your past love!
Love the honesty and humor of this post!
Hi Katie,
I’m trying to catch up with some of your older blog posts dealing with the new house. I’ve just started reading your blog and lOVE IT!
I knew exactly what you meant by this post and I would be crying too. This is not the same thing, but I cried the first night home with each of my newborn daughters (now 7 and 3) – because I actually missed being in the hospital with them! Is that crazy or what? But I had c-sections and was in the hospital almost a week with each one and got to know the nurses and just loved the nice little routine me and my baby had gotten into. I’m sure it was all the crazy hormones running amok, but that first night was really tough. I know it’s not the same as leaving your house and esp. not the same as losing a child (can’t even imagine), but there are different levels of hurting and moving for you is causing a hurt on one type of level. You know it’s going to get better and the new house will become a home before you know it. But for now, you’re missing the first place you made your home. My prayers are with you 🙂
Oh, and by the way, I have to laugh when you talk about the lavender carpet in Will’s new room and how they tried to match each room and the carpet but it didn’t quite match. Because when I was a kid we got our rooms painted and I wanted LAVENDER – that’s right – Lavender! And we got new rugs too and guess what color it was – PURPLE! So yeah, I had the light lavender color on my walls and dark purple rug – yikes! But I loved it! And it was the 70s so that makes it ok, right?
You are one self important trashy b****. My Mother lost a child, I’m sure she’d love reading this pathetic excuse for “writing”. Go get a degree from a college that isn’t at the bottom of the barrel and maybe you’ll get a better grasp on the concept of appropriate analogies. I hope you never have to experience such a loss. Karma is funny that way. 🙂
I truly feel sorry for your mother and for your family…I would never wish that loss on anyone…not even people that hate me the most.
xo – kb
Katie,
Just got to say, I love your blog and your sense of humor! I love the way you express yourself. I totally “get” this post. My husband & I purchased and completely remodeled a home back in 2010. The very thought of moving and leaving our “baby” about puts me in tears. Your home is beautiful and you all did much work there to be proud of.
We did not have children when we moved in to our home. We are now expecting our first but there have certainly been “things” in our life that have felt like (to us) our first love or child in the effort and energy we put into them. I know this was your comparison too…I get it!
I hope things are going well with your family’s new addition. Looking forward to seeing more pics of your remodeled kitchen. You have been amazing doing SO MUCH of this work while you are pregnant. …and here I felt like big stuff just keeping up on laundry the first trimester! 🙂 LOL
I,m happy to read your blog , Loved at the first time I read it.
Can you tell me how did you clean the carpet? that big mess. lol
thanks
We have a carpet shampooer that we got from my inlaws that works great 🙂
xo – kb
I’m relatively new to your blog and I just love it. You are so honestly funny and it puts a smile on my face whenever I check in. God bless you and your happily growing family!
She fully acknowledged to all of us that she was not equating the loss of this house to the loss of a child. I believe she called the house a “thing-baby”. If you think that is the same as a “baby-baby” then perhaps you need to take your reading comprehension skills back to school yourself and invest some time in your own improvement. That is always preferable to taking out your bitterness on others.
@ Katie…your response was polite and restrained. I can’t say the same for mine. I wish you all the luck in finding a renter or buyer for your first home…the first home, if we really care about it and take care of it, is the repository for our dreams, our love and our time. It is where you brought home Will and is precious for all of that. I completely understood what you were saying.